Nearer to God Daily Devotional
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Daily devotionalDecember 14 – Refusing Christ, refusing life
Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. – John 5:40 Scripture reading: John 5:30-47 Christmas is a time of year…
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Daily devotionalDecember 13 – Powerful trust
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. – Psalm 20:7 Scripture reading: Psalm…
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Daily devotionalDecember 12 – The Christmas witness
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. – Luke 2:20 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalDecember 11 – The Christmas light
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:5 Scripture reading: John 1:1-18 How dreary these dark December…
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Daily devotionalDecember 10 – Happy Hanukkah
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of…
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Daily devotionalDecember 9 – Christ’s sacrifice
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under…
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Daily devotionalDecember 8 – Never too dark
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone….
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Daily devotionalDecember 7 – From the start to the finish
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. – Revelation 22:13 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-13 Jesus…
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Daily devotionalDecember 6 – What will you get?
And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as He promised him. I Kings 5:12 Scripture reading: I Kings 5 Sometimes parents promise children a certain Christmas…
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Daily devotionalDecember 5 – Get ready
And Mary said, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” – Luke 1:38 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalDecember 4 – A light for the nations
I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. – Isaiah 49:6b Scripture…
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Daily devotionalDecember 3 – Joseph’s obedience
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife. – Matthew 1:24 Scripture reading: Matthew…
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Daily devotionalDecember 2 – Preparing the way
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways. – Luke…
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Daily devotionalIntroduction to December’s devotionals
As one might expect, the focus of our attention in this month of December is the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. There…
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Daily devotionalNovember 30 – A story that demands a response
He who has ears, let him hear. – Matthew 13:9 Scripture reading: Luke 15:1-3,11-32 Earlier, we noted that Jesus told parables to surface the heart…
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Daily devotionalNovember 29 – The one who pursues
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full…
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Daily devotionalNovember 28 – Our true big brother
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… – John 1:12 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalNovember 27 – Missing
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and…
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Daily devotionalNovember 26 – The (He)art of celebration
“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” – Luke…
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Daily devotionalNovember 25 – A cliff-hanger
“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” – Luke…
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Daily devotionalNovember 24 – The Gospel for big brother(s)
And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” – Luke 15:31 Scripture reading: Luke 15:31-32;…
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Daily devotionalNovember 23 – Big brother today
“You never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came… you killed the fattened…
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Daily devotionalNovember 22 – I want your stuff, not you
“Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might…
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Daily devotionalNovember 21 – The Father’s heart
His father came out and entreated him… – Luke 15:28b Scripture reading: Luke 15:25-28; Matthew 11:28-30 We saw the father’s heart for Little Brother. We…
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Daily devotionalNovember 20 – The heart revealed (Part 2)
But he was angry and refused to go in. – Luke 15:28a Scripture reading: Luke 15:25-28a; 1 John 1:5-10 Big Brother trudged home from the…
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Daily devotionalNovember 19 – The heart revealed (Part 1)
But he was angry and refused to go in. – Luke 15:28a Scripture reading: Luke 15:25-28a; Mark 7:14-23 Every winter, we tapped trees to produce…
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Daily devotionalNovember 18 – Introducing big brother
Now his older son was in the field… – Luke 15:25a Scripture reading: Luke 15:25a; Psalm 139:23-24 The spotlight shifts from the younger son to…
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Daily devotionalNovember 17 – Party time!
And they began to celebrate. – Luke 15:24b Scripture reading: Luke 15:22-24; Isaiah 25:6-9 Redemption calls for celebration! The Bible is full of parties, complete…
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Daily devotionalNovember 16 – Restoration
“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring the…
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Daily devotionalNovember 15 – Humility
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’…
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Daily devotionalNovember 14 – The Father’s heart
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. –…
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Daily devotionalNovember 13 – But…
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. –…
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Daily devotionalNovember 12 – The road home (Part 2)
And he arose and came to his father. – Luke 15:20a Scripture reading: Luke 15:17-20a; Luke 19:1-10 Little Brother did not say, “I will arise…
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Daily devotionalNovember 11 – The road home (Part 1)
But when he came to himself, he said… “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have…
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Daily devotionalNovember 10 – The end of the road (Part 2)
And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. – Luke 15:14 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalNovember 9 – The end of the road (Part 1)
And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. – Luke 15:14 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalNovember 8 – Reckless, restless living
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property…
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Daily devotionalNovember 7 – Into a far country
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property…
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Daily devotionalNovember 6 – The Father’s response
And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his…
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Daily devotionalNovember 5 – I want your stuff, not you
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share…
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Daily devotionalNovember 4 – Storytime with Jesus
And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man received sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: – Luke 15:2-3…
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Daily devotionalNovember 3 – “Godly” grumblers
And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” – Luke 15:2 Scripture reading: Luke 15:1-2; Matthew 9:9-13…
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Daily devotionalNovember 2 – Drawn to Jesus
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. – Luke 15:1 Scripture reading: Luke 15:1-2; John 10:11-16 Jesus crossed the…
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Daily devotionalIntroducing November’s prodigal devotions
Jesus’ Parable of the Prodigal Son is well-loved for good reason. However, the title reveals that our primary focus tends to be on the younger…
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Daily devotionalOctober 31 – Faith without works is dead
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? – James 2:14…
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Daily devotionalOctober 30 – Loving the brother
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart… – 1…
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Daily devotionalOctober 29 – Following Jesus brings joy
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalOctober 28 – Keeping Christ’s commands
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. –…
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Daily devotionalOctober 27 – Motivation for pure living
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died… – 2 Corinthians…
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Daily devotionalOctober 26 – It takes disciples to make disciples
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. – Deuteronomy 6:6 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 11:1-19 We read in Deuteronomy 11:18…
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Daily devotionalOctober 25 – The Church’s role in making disciples
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. – Deuteronomy 6:6 Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:11-16 In these verses, God is…
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Daily devotionalOctober 24 – Making disciples starts at home
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalOctober 23 – The basis for living as disciples
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all…
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Daily devotionalOctober 22 – Jesus’ love of his people
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. – John 15:9 Scripture reading: Ephesians 3:12-21 As the Father…
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Daily devotionalOctober 21 – The Father’s love of the son
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. – John 5:20 Scripture reading: John 5:19-24 The love of…
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Daily devotionalOctober 20 – Remaining in Christ’s love
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. –…
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Daily devotionalOctober 19 – Renewing our minds
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the…
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Daily devotionalOctober 18 – United in prayer
…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the…
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Daily devotionalOctober 17 – Our primary duty
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. – Acts 2:42 Scripture reading: Acts 2:36-47…
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Daily devotionalOctober 16 – Striving for the maturity of Christ
…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure…
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Daily devotionalOctober 15 – United in ministry
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. – Hebrews 10:24 Scripture reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 We have seen…
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Daily devotionalOctober 14 – The purpose of ministers
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus….preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and…
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Daily devotionalOctober 13 – Called to ministry
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up…
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Daily devotionalOctober 12 – Grateful praise-worthy living
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of…
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Daily devotionalOctober 11 – A peculiar people
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of…
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Daily devotionalOctober 10 – A holy nation
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of…
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Daily devotionalOctober 9 – God’s chosen people
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of…
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Daily devotionalOctober 8 – Made for praise
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones…
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Daily devotionalOctober 7 – A living unity with Jesus
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones…
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Daily devotionalOctober 6 – Rejected, but precious
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones…
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Daily devotionalOctober 5 – The Church’s one foundation!
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones…
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Daily devotionalOctober 4 – Gathered for praise
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. – Acts 2:42 Scripture reading: Acts 2:37-47…
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Daily devotionalOctober 3 – To God be the glory
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. – Romans 11:36 Scripture reading: Romans…
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Daily devotionalOctober 2 – Our God reigns
And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church. – Ephesians 1:22 Scripture reading: Ephesians…
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Daily devotionalIntroduction to the month of October
October 31 is the anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, sparking what is…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 30 – Crucifying the flesh and keeping in step with the Spirit
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 29 – The fruit of the Spirit is self-control
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls…– Proverbs 25:28 But the fruit of the Spirit is…self-control. – Galatians…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 28 – The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness: Christ-like gentleness
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench. – Matthew 12:20 Scripture reading: Matthew 11:25-30; 12:15-21 The power…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 27 – Let us consider how to stir one another up to love
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 26 – The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness: the gentleness of God
But the fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness. – Galatians 5:22-23 Scripture reading: Isaiah 40 George Bethune once said, “Perhaps no grace is less prayed for,…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 25 – The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness
But the fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Lamentations 3:22-23; Hebrews 6:13-20 We live in a world of broken promises. But…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 24 – The fruit of the Spirit is kindness and goodness
But the fruit of the Spirit is…kindness, goodness. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:4-8 Kindness and goodness are often used interchangeably in…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 23 – The fruit of the Spirit is patience: long-tempered
Love is patient…it is not irritable… – 1 Corinthians 13:4,7 But the fruit of the Spirit is…patience. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Exodus 34:5-7; James…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 22 – The fruit of the Spirit is patience: long-suffering
Love is patient… Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things… – 1 Corinthians 13:4,7 But the fruit of the Spirit…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 21 – The fruit of the Spirit is peace: peace with others
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God…Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 20 – Let us hold fast our hope
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23 Scripture reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 We live…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 19 – The fruit of the Spirit is peace: peace with God and peace within
Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… – Romans 5:1 But the fruit of the Spirit…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 18 – The fruit of the Spirit is joy: the joy of glorification
But the fruit of the Spirit is…joy. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: John 16:20-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9 As we saw yesterday, Christian joy is rooted…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 17 – The fruit of the Spirit is joy: the joy of justification
But the fruit of the Spirit is…joy. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Psalm 32; Philippians 4:4 Sadly, too often, Christians lack joy in their life….
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Daily devotionalSeptember 16 – The fruit of the Spirit is love: the test of love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love… – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:15-20; 3:14-21 Sometimes we have a counterfeit love. This is where…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 15 – The fruit of the Spirit is love: the pattern and power of love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love… – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: 1 John 3:16-18; 4:9-11, 19 What is love? God is the source…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 14 – The fruit of the Spirit is love: love for one another
But the fruit of the Spirit is love… – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: 1 John 4:7-11; 5:1-3 We’ve begun to see that love for God…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 13 – Let us draw near in full assurance of faith
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 12 – The fruit of the Spirit is love: the necessity of love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love… – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Matthew 22:34-40; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Love is central to the Christian life….
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Daily devotionalSeptember 11 – The fruit of the Spirit: general observations
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…patience, kindness…1 Corinthians 13:4, 6 Love is patient and kind…rejoices. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 10 – The fruit of the Spirit: produced in us
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 9 – The fruit of the Spirit: Christ’s fruitfulness
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 8 – The fruit of the Spirit: Israel’s unfruitfulness
My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill…and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes…Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 7 – The works of the flesh
Now the works of the flesh are evident…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 6 – Confidence to enter the holy places
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…and since we have a great priest over the house of God……